2002 Mercedes-Benz Slk Owner Complaints

THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR TURNED BLACK AND I CANNOT SEE OUT OF IT DEALER WANTS LIKE $800 TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THE AUTO DIMMING DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND CAN'T SEE OUT OF THAT EITHER, AGAIN MANY PEOPLE ON THE FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS TOO. AT ONE TIME THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR WAS SENDING FREE REPLACEMENTS SINCE THERE WERE SOME QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS, BUT NO MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10548651

Incident

Oct 19, 2013

Mileage

61,714 mi

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO "LAVA LAMP/ DISTORTED BUBBLE" EFFECT IN AUTO-DIMMING REARVIEW AND SIDE MIRROR. I NEVER REALIZED SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WEBSITE EXISTED. I WOULD HAVE FILED MY COMPLAINT A LONG TIME AGO. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF REPLACE A REARVIEW MIRROR BEFORE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TINY MIRROR. IT KEPT GETTING LARGER AND DIDN'T GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. NAIVELY, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE OUTSIDE HUMIDITY BUT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. THIS MIRROR COSTS WAY TOO MUCH FOR THE TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10403887

Incident

May 10, 2007

Mileage

34,986 mi

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 IS A SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MIRROR CONTAINS SOME KIND OF FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND THEN THE DIMMING EFFECT NO LONGER WORKED, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION AT NIGHT. THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP WITH THIS MIRROR, IT IS ELECTRIC AND ONCE IT FAILS, IT STOPS WORKING. I FEEL MERCEDES-BENZ SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON CARS CONTAINING THESE MIRRORS AND REPLACE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10379632

Incident

Nov 10, 2010

Mileage

56,200 mi

2002 MERCEDES SLK320 FAILS TO ACCELERATE RANDOMLY AND AT CRITICAL MOMENTS. GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR REMAINS AT IDOL SO THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS ARE GENERATED. POWER IS SLOW TO RECOVER BUT LEAVES THE CAR LIMPING ALONG AT IDOL UNTIL IT RESPONDS AGAIN. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OR THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS CAN COST $100 TO $400 EACH TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. THE UNPLANNED OPERATIONAL FLAW CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN MERGING OR TURNING IN TO TRAFFIC ONLY TO FIND MYSELF LIMPING IN FRONT OF A LARGE SUV BEARING DOWN ON ME. THERE IS A 5 SECOND OR MORE LAG UNTIL THE CAR STARTS TO RESPOND AGAIN. RESPONSE DOESN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY BUT SLOWLY RAMPS UP TO THE NEEDED SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10369383

Incident

Nov 15, 2010

Mileage

69,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ, SLK 320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE BAS/ESP (TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT) CAME ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 10 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST SHOWED A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE LOCAL MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE COMPUTER WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BAS/ESP LIGHT BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT NO COST. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE DONE A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER A SMALL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/11

NHTSA ID

10354704

Incident

Aug 30, 2010

Mileage

52,000 mi

I BOUGHT A SLK 320 2002 MODEL AND WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT SIDE BRAKES SO VIOLENTLY THE TIRES SQUEAL, I AM AFRAID TO GET ON AN INTERSTATE, AND READING A LOT OF REVIEWS I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10348604

Incident

Aug 5, 2010

Mileage

87,000 mi

MB SHOULD RECALL REARVIEW MIRRORS FOR 1998-2003 SLK. LOOKING AT ARTICLES OVER THE INTERNET, LOTS OF SLK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, SO THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON ISSUE FOR THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REARVIEW HAS AN AUTO DIM FEATURE, AND THIS MIRROR USUALLY LEAKS MAKING THE MIRROR VERY DARK WHERE YOUR CANNOT USE IT ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340680

Incident

Jun 28, 2010

Mileage

61,000 mi

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 (R170 MODEL) IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10283058

Incident

Jan 15, 2009

THE INSIDE REAR VIEW AND THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS IN MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 32 AMG (R170 MODEL) ARE ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRRORS THAT HAVE NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS CONTAINED A FLUID WHICH LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE SELF-DIMMING MIRROR TO FAIL TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRRORS AWAY WHICH GREATLY ELIMINATES REAR VIEW CAPABILITY IN THE INTERIOR. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING IN VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS AS A RESULT OF USUALLY FROM THE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKING. THE INTERIOR MIRROR IS ABOUT $200 AND THE EXTERIOR (GLASS ONLY) IS AROUND $400. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MAGNA DONNELLY WAS REPLACING THESE MIRRORS FOR FREE BUT STOPPED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10254050

Incident

Jun 10, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

VISIBILITY SUMMARY: VEHICLE TYPE IS 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK230 (R170 MODEL). THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS AN ELECTROCHROMIC SELF DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRRORS FAIL LOSING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIMMING AGAINST REAR APPROACHING HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO EITHER BE BLINDED OR TO HAVE TO TURN THE MIRROR UP AND HAVE NO REAR VIEW CAPABILITY. I KNOW OF MANY DOCUMENTED CASES OF THESE MIRRORS FAILING INCLUDING MY OWN. SOME FAIL BY JUST QUITTING WORKING WHILE OTHERS LEAK THE INTERNAL FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250685

Incident

Jul 10, 2008

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT ELECTRIC SEATS FAIL TO OPERATE UPON FIRST ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE SEATS CANNOT BE MOVED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED AND DRIVEN. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID

10200429

Incident

Aug 1, 2005

Mileage

15,000 mi

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO FOR MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK 320 DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE / STOP LIGHT DESIGN. THE LEFT STOP LIGHT BULB HAD ALREADY BURNED OUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AND THE SOCKET WAS WARPED FROM THE HEAT. IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE NEW BULB FAILED AGAIN THIS MONTH. TODAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM, BILL USSERY MOTORS OF CORAL GABLES, FL AND I WAS TOLD, "YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL." IF NOT, THEN WHY DID MERCEDES BENZ USA MAIL ME A RECALL LETTER AND WHY IS THE BULB ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE??? DOZENS OF OTHER SLK OWNERS ON A MERCEDES INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD ARE FACING THE SAME RUN AROUND FROM THEIR DEALERS!

NHTSA ID

10181284

Incident

Jan 20, 2007

Mileage

25,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED AND AGREED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL, # 05V505000, CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10174596

Incident

Oct 31, 2006

Mileage

21,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS DARKENED AND IT IS NOT RELATED TO THE BULB. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR BRAKE TO DARKENED. THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE MERCEDES 170, BUT NOT ON THE SLK SERIES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10163829

Incident

Jul 23, 2006

REAR BRAKE LIGHT MELTED IN SOCKET SO I AM UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULB. MB DEALER SAYS I MAY NEED A WHOLE NEW REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *NM

NHTSA ID

10163384

Incident

Jul 19, 2006

DT: 2002 MERCEDES SLK 230- WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN THE CAR LOSES POWER. INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AT THIS TIME. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN PAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FIVE DAYS AND DRIVEN 163 MILES AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I PICKING UP THE VEHICLE DROVE IT ABOUT 10 MPH, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR LOST POWER. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10137476

Incident

May 19, 2004

Mileage

5,000 mi

REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND FUSED TO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF MY 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG. WHEN BULBS DO FAIL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE THEM. IT IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE MELTED PLASTIC. BOTH ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID

10138211

Incident

Apr 6, 2005

Mileage

33,139 mi

ON MAY 13, 2005, I PURCHASED A USED CAR FROM DC MOTORS OF ANAHEIM HILLS, CA. THE CAR CAME FROM WALTER MERCEDES RIVERSIDE, CA. THE CAR WAS NOT RECONDITIONED BEFORE SELLING. THE COMPANY INTENTIONALLY DEFRAUD ME SINCE I HAVE A PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN THROROUGHLY CHECK FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER. TODATE, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTALLED OF 12 DAYS, 4 VARIOUS VISITS. THE FOLLOWING WERE THE PROBLEMS: MISSING GRILL, SHAKING IN THE STEERING, CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES AND FRON WHEEL ALIGNMENT, HUMMING NOISE, HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE PEDAL, INCORRECT TIRES SPECIFICATION CURRENTLY INSTALLED, THE RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STOP FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO PAY $302.00 FOR THE MISSING AND NEITHER DC MOTORS AND WALTERS TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10128945

Incident

May 13, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ASUDDEN ACCELERATION. NO IMPACT WAS REPORTED. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID

10081707

Incident

Jul 5, 2004

Mileage

10,892 mi

FUEL LINE FAILED AT PRESSURE REGULATOR CAUSING A CONSTANT FLOW OF GASOLINE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY IS ON BACK ORDER FROM GERMANY. APPEARS TO BE OVER TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. JUST GREAT!*AK

NHTSA ID

10080678

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

Mileage

28,319 mi

CAR WANTS TO STALL/STOP/HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10063816

Incident

Nov 8, 2002

Mileage

3,700 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED THERE IS A LOT OF HESITATION, AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLS ON THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES NORMALLY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10033763

Incident

Feb 6, 2002

Mileage

15 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE DRIVING GEAR MODE. TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10022697

Incident

Jun 9, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ABS LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK

NHTSA ID

10022696

Incident

Jun 9, 2003

WHEN THERE WAS A QUICK ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION, THE ESP(ELECTRICAL STABILIZER PROGRAM) SYSTEM ENGAGED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STOPPING AFTER ACCELERATING FOR ONLY 2 FEET. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE ESP SYSTEM DISENGAGED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10022402

Mileage

25,000 mi